This study is designed to be a United States multicenter prospective randomized controlled non-inferiority evaluation of transgastric and transvaginal Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) cholecystectomy compared to laparoscopic cholecystectomy in elective surgery patients. Up to 200 patients will be enrolled to obtain 70 NOTES cholecystectomies (35 transgastric and 35 transvaginal) and 70 laparoscopic cholecystectomies on a randomized basis. In order to evaluate the hypothesis that NOTES cholecystectomy has equivalent safety and efficacy to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, clinical and administrative outcomes will be measured.

The transvaginal NOTES approach is accomplished by performing a posterior colpotomy. Instead of a conventional laparoscope, a flexible endoscope is used in order to provide working channels and visualization. The gallbladder is removed through the vaginal incision. The transgastric cholecystectomy requires the flexible endoscope to be placed orally. A gastrotomy is made through the stomach wall allowing the flexible endoscope to pass into the abdominal cavity. The gallbladder is removed from the abdominal cavity into the stomach and ultimately out the mouth. The goal of NOTES is to develop further so either of these approaches will not require any incisions in the abdominal wall.

Active Comparator: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Procedure: NOTES Cholecystectomy

The transvaginal NOTES approach is accomplished by performing a posterior colpotomy. Instead of a conventional laparoscope, a flexible endoscope is used in order to provide working channels and visualization. The gallbladder is removed through the vaginal incision. The transgastric cholecystectomy requires the flexible endoscope to be placed orally. A gastrotomy is made through the stomach wall allowing the flexible endoscope to pass into the abdominal cavity. The gallbladder is removed from the abdominal cavity into the stomach and ultimately out the mouth. The goal of NOTES is to develop further so either of these approaches will not require any incisions in the abdominal wall.

Procedure: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

This technique utilizes the introduction of a laparoscope through a 1 cm incision in the fascia in or around umbilicus. Usually three additional 0.5- 1.0 cm incisions are employed for surgical instrumentation. Once separated from its attachments, the gallbladder is usually removed through the umbilical port. Sutures are used to close the larger port sites. The most devastating complication is injury to the major bile ducts which is avoided to the extent possible (incidence .2 to less than .01%)5 by careful visualization of the ductal structures.

Detailed Description:

Primary To assess the safety and efficacy of transgastric and transvaginal cholecystectomy compared to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01171027